The Glory of the Sun and Moon in the Peerless Tang Sect

“Tianhuang, since you have your own ideas, we won’t say anything more. We trust you will know what to do.” Ning Xingxu smiled calmly upon hearing Xu Zihuang’s reply.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. Princess Vina sent someone to see you before. She has been the Empress of the Heavenly Soul Empire for over a year now. The Heavenly Soul Empire's current stability is undeniably due to her abilities and contributions. This is a handwritten letter she left for you."

As he spoke, Ning Xingxu handed Xu Zihuang a beautifully crafted letter with gilded letter paper.

Xu Zihuang accepted the letter without showing any emotion, his inner feelings somewhat complicated. Vina had expressed her feelings to him more than once, and the fact that Ning Xingxu was the one to deliver this letter to him felt rather strange.

Xu Zihuang made no attempt to hide it and opened the letter in front of Ning Xingxu and Gu Lao.

Just as he had expected, the sensible Vina did not mention their private affair in the letter. She only hoped that he could come to the Heavenly Soul Empire's palace after his seclusion to discuss matters together.

Xu Zihuang raised his head and looked at Ning Xingxu and Gu Lao again.

"Vina told me to go to the palace to discuss important matters after my seclusion training is over."

"Tianhuang, then you should go." Ning Xingxu's smile remained unchanged.

"After it's over, I'll bring Ning Qing and the others back with me."

"it is good."

Xu Zihuang gave a slight nod to Ning Xingxu and Gu Lao before disappearing once again into the wondrous golden halo.

After a long silence, the ancient man couldn't help but sigh and say, "It's probably not that simple for the young empress of the Heavenly Soul Empire to find Tianhuang. But ultimately, it's because Tianhuang is just too outstanding."

"Grandpa Long, let the young people do what they want." Ning Xingxu shook his head with a wry smile.

"Just as you said, Tianhuang's excellence is bound to attract those favored daughters of heaven. As long as Tianhuang does not let Tian'er and Qing'er down, that's enough."

“Xingxu, you’re quite open-minded.” Old Gu raised an eyebrow.

Ning Xingxu did not respond, but gazed meaningfully at the golden-red sun that was about to sink into the western horizon.

Controlling the Heavenly Soul Empire through Vina is undoubtedly a brilliant strategy. However…

Tian Dou City.

Two stunningly beautiful blonde women walked side by side down a bustling street. The taller blonde possessed a cool and noble air. The other woman, also blonde, had a lighter, off-white hair and was gazing lovingly at the little one in her arms.

The two women were Ye Guyi and Ning Tian.

Ning Qing slept soundly in Ning Tian's arms. Seeing this, Ye Guyi said knowingly to Ning Tian beside her, "It's getting late, let's go back."

"Mm," Ning Tian responded softly.

But at that moment, they all looked in the direction of the Heavenly Soul Empire's palace in the center of Heavenly Dou City.

Ye Guyi frowned slightly and said reproachfully, "You didn't come to see you and Ning Qing right after you finished your seclusion, but instead went to see that Vina at the Heavenly Soul Empire's palace."

“Sister Gu Yi, Tianhuang must have a reason for doing this. I remember that a while ago, didn’t Vina send someone to deliver a letter to Tianhuang?” Ning Tian didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. Even if Vina had feelings for Yu Tianhuang before, now that they have a child and Vina has become the Empress of the Tianhun Empire, she should be concerned about her reputation and the impact on the situation.

Moreover, the fact that Yu Tianhuang had notified them in advance further proves that he is open and honest.

Ye Guyi was just saying it casually; she wasn't really blaming Xu Zihuang. Seeing Ning Tian defending Xu Zihuang, she couldn't help but giggle and tease him.

"Fine, you two are a perfect couple, and I'm the only outsider."

"Sister Guyi——"

Amidst laughter and banter, the two left Tiandou City and sat in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's carriage, waiting for Xu Zihuang's return.

The Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace had been rebuilt and its defenses reinforced within the past year. The towering city walls were fortified with Soul Guidance defensive positions, manned by powerful Soul Masters and Soul Guidance Masters. The palace gates were also guarded by rows of well-ordered elite soldiers.

These soldiers, clad in armor and wielding spears, were exceptionally brave and valiant.

Whether it was Vina's arrangement or not, when Xu Zihuang was seen walking towards the palace from afar, someone went to inform the palace.

As soon as Xu Zihuang arrived at the palace gate, two maids dressed in silver dresses walked quickly from inside the palace and bowed respectfully to him.

"His Majesty gave prior instructions to please come with us."

Xu Zihuang followed silently behind the two maids. He knew, of course, that Vina's invitation to the Heavenly Soul Empire's palace was not simply to discuss matters.

Compared to the imperial palace of the Sun Moon Empire, the imperial palace of the Heavenly Soul Empire has a greater sense of historical depth. Although most of the buildings within the palace have been rebuilt, they were constructed according to the style of the Heavenly Dou Empire's imperial palace tens of thousands of years ago, which is what is known as the retro style.

The imperial palace covered an area of ​​enormous size, almost equivalent to a small to medium-sized city. By the time Xu Zihuang was led by the two maids to a secluded palace deep within the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace, it was already completely dark.

The soft, soul-guided light illuminated the magnificent palace, making it brightly lit.

Xu Zihuang stood in the center of the palace, a vague guess forming in his mind.

Not long after, a series of crisp footsteps suddenly came from behind.

Xu Zihuang turned around as if sensing something, and a woman dressed in a magnificent golden palace gown came into his view. The woman looked to be no more than twenty years old, her exquisite beauty and the precious jewels on her headdress shining brightly. The purple-gold crown she wore added to her majestic and solemn appearance.

However, the moment her eyes met Xu Zihuang's, the demeanor she had deliberately displayed vanished instantly, leaving only weariness and fragility in her beautiful eyes, making her all the more pitiful.

Vina pursed her red lips, quickened her pace, and hugged Xu Zihuang's waist and back, her voice trembling with sobs.

"Tianhuang, please help me."

Chapter 503 A Night Talk in the Palace and a Dramatic Scene

Xu Zihuang remained silent and did not respond to Vina, his expression remaining calm throughout.

Inside the opulent, glittering palace, only Vina's soft sobs could be heard. In such a tranquil setting, one's heart would be unconsciously stirred.

As if she had found someone to rely on, Vina shed all her previous pretenses and vented her emotions.

Over the past year, she first experienced the grief of the destruction of the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family, and then, despite her grief, she did her best to support her ascension to the throne and stabilize the situation of the Heavenly Soul Empire. Although she had the support of the Body Sect, the immense pressure she was under still made it difficult for her to breathe.

After venting for a long time, Vina finally calmed herself down and looked up at Xu Zihuang. In her light green eyes, besides her usual gentleness, there was also a strong and special emotional fluctuation.

Her magnificent palace-style long dress accentuated her noble and elegant temperament, while the exposed skin above her chest shimmered with a luminous glow, making the atmosphere even more ambiguous.

Even with Xu Zihuang's composure, being stared at like that by Vina stirred up some ripples in his heart.

"Tianhuang, I'm sorry, I lost my temper." Vina parted her alluring red lips apologetically, her voice choked with emotion. Although she hoped to get Yu Tianhuang's help, she hadn't originally imagined that she would act so outrageously upon meeting him. It was just that the immense pressure she had been under for so long made it impossible for her to control her emotions when she saw Yu Tianhuang.

Because in certain matters, Yu Tianhuang could help her more than the Body Sect. Moreover, she didn't reject these things; on the contrary, she genuinely longed for them.

Xu Zihuang sighed softly and said, "Vina, just say what's on your mind. This isn't like you."

Vina nodded, her pretty face slightly flushed, then gave a bitter smile.

“Our Heavenly Soul Empire’s royal family was completely wiped out in that surprise attack by the Sun Moon Empire. I’m the only member left in the royal family. How could I not have changed at all? Tianhuang, if I could, I really wish we could go back to the time when we first met. At least then Father was still alive, and I wouldn’t have to shoulder this responsibility and pressure.”

As she spoke, Vina's eyes clearly became somewhat unfocused. In less than two years, she had experienced far too much. Nearly a third of the country's territory had fallen, and countless lives had been lost. And the culprit behind all of this was the ambitious Sun Moon Empire.

“Sometimes I wonder, if you had stayed at Shrek Academy to study after you expelled the evil energy of the Dark Demon Tiger from my body that time, would my situation have been different?” Vina wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her beautiful eyes filled with a burning and determined light.

"Tianhuang, did you ever like me? Even just a little bit?"

After a long pause, Xu Zihuang met Vina's burning gaze and nodded frankly, saying, "The word 'like' is too vague, but I can say for sure that you, Vina, are indeed attractive to me."

“Tianhuang, your excellence has always attracted me, ever since we first met.”

A captivating smile bloomed on Vina's beautiful face. She gently bit her red lips with her pearly teeth and took Xu Zihuang's hand.

“If you’re willing, I can be the woman behind you. I won’t put you and Ning Tian in a difficult position, and I don’t need you to make our relationship public. I only hope to have a child for you, so that he can inherit the throne of the Heavenly Soul Empire in the future.”

Their bodies were pressed together, and Xu Zihuang's nostrils were filled with the rich, sweet fragrance emanating from Vina. With just a nod, everything about this young empress would be within his grasp, including the entire Heavenly Soul Empire.

Vina's current posture undoubtedly possessed a fatal attraction for him.

Just as Vina was filled with anticipation, Xu Zihuang shook his head with a meaningless expression.

"Vina, let's wait a year for now. I should be able to break through to the Title Douluo realm within a year. If you haven't changed your mind by then, I will grant your wish."

He is no longer the same person he once was. His increased strength and the experiences of these past years have subtly changed his mindset. Rather than having Vina bear him a child, he prefers to take control of the Sun Moon Empire and then use his power to subjugate the Heavenly Soul Empire.

Vina gazed at Xu Zihuang with a mixture of joy and shyness, seeing things entirely differently from her perspective.

In her view, Yu Tianhuang's reply clearly indicated his agreement; the one-year delay was solely for the purpose of breaking through the bottleneck of the Title Douluo realm.

“Tianhuang, I know your considerations. But you don’t actually have to wait a year.” Vina suppressed her shyness and deliberately put on the majestic empress demeanor she had when facing the civil and military officials of the Tianhun Empire. She tiptoed and suddenly moved closer to Xu Zihuang’s face.

Perhaps it's an innate talent of girls, but she was truly exceptional. She instantly manipulated Xu Zihuang, leaving him caught off guard.

A moment later, Vina pursed her moist lips, feigning authority while also hinting at a desire to refuse.

The warmth and sweetness from before still lingered between her lips. Xu Zihuang glanced at Vina with some surprise, then seemed to understand something, and suddenly realized what was going on.

"It's getting late, Vina. I'll head back now." Xu Zihuang smiled slightly, as if he hadn't been affected at all, and bid farewell to Vina.

As Xu Zihuang's figure disappeared into the void, Vina belatedly felt a burning sensation on her cheeks and involuntarily clenched the hem of her golden palace dress.

She wondered if her frivolous behavior earlier had changed Yu Tianhuang's impression of her.

As she pondered this, Vina nervously sat down in the main seat deep within the palace. Her originally light emerald green eyes instantly turned into a strange silver, and seven spirit rings—six black and one red—rose one after another from beneath her feet.

With the advantage of having twin martial souls and remarkable talent, Vina recently broke through to the seventh-ring Soul Saint realm and successfully fused with the soul rings and soul bones of the 100,000-year-old mermaid princess, Lijing.

An invisible spiritual force rippled outwards under her control.

Not long after, another aloof woman in a pristine white dress entered the hall. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her back, and her cool, pretty face was filled with confusion.

"Vina, how come you're so fast?"

Vina stood up with a slight reproach, looking at Muxue, her eyes reddening with anxiety.

"Sister Xue, I did as you said, but Tianhuang didn't do anything to me and just left. Didn't you say that men like that?"

"I heard it from some of the older sisters in the sect."

A blush appeared on Mu Xue's usually cool face, and then she changed the subject.

Did he agree?

Vina's expression softened slightly, and she relayed Xu Zihuang's previous answer to Mu Xue.

While Vina and Muxue were talking, Xu Zihuang, Ye Guyi, and Ning Tian boarded the carriage to return to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School.

The four corners of the luxurious carriage were adorned with ornate crystal lanterns that swayed slightly as the carriage moved.

Inside the carriage, Ye Guyi and Ning Tian sat on one side, while Xu Zihuang sat opposite them, holding the sleeping Ning Qing in his arms. He briefly recounted his meeting with Vina, omitting the more ambiguous parts and only subtly revealing Vina's thoughts and intentions.

"It seems that Her Majesty the Empress is truly determined to give herself to you." Ye Guyi looked at Xu Zihuang with a half-smile.

However, Ning Tian remained calm, his gentle gaze always fixed on Xu Zihuang and Ning Qing, and he smiled faintly.

"Sister Gu Yi, doesn't this just prove Tian Huang's excellence? And I believe Tian Huang will definitely not let Ning Qing and me down."

Since Ning Tian had already said so much, Xu Zihuang had no choice but to remain silent.

The three chatted idly inside the carriage. But when the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, they saw an old acquaintance.